School of iNPC: Uagadou

Year: Second

Nationality: Swedish

Residence: Greyton, South America

Biography: Salim Wolde was born on February 19th in Sweden. His mother Bisa and his father Oringo were originally from Africa but had moved to Sweden because Bisa was going to work with magical creatures. But tragically, Oringo had to go back to Africa just a week after Salim was born. He had to take care of his uncle who was very old and work to save more money for the family. Bisa, who was left alone in Sweden where the language was still foreign and where she didn't know anyone, was then helped by a Swedish witch who was also her new colleague. The witch had a daughter herself and helped Bisa get settled.

In Salim's everyday life, magic was a constant because his mother often took him to work where he got to meet many exciting magical creatures. Salim seemed to have a natural way with the creatures, an invisible bond that Bisa thought was a gift in her somewhat difficult time. And even though Oringo wasn't present in Salim's first years of growing up, Salim didn't notice it himself.

But in the spring of the same year Salim turned five, something terrible happened. The witch Bisa had become such a good friend with died, or rather was killed by a magical creature. Bisa, who was devastated, decided to move back to Africa and leave her grief behind.

Salim was able to meet his father for the first time in many years. It was strange at first, Oringo appeared like a stranger but Salim adapted quickly. They now lived in the village of Greyton in South Africa. Bisa continued to work with magical creatures, although now Salim had to stay home and help his father with various chores.

Life was very different now compared to how it had been in Sweden. It was even stranger when Salim suddenly got a little sister. She was born in March the same year Salim turned six. Suddenly there was a little screaming child that Salim needed to take care of. Salim had to name her Mariama, a beautiful name he thought. It meant God's gift, which was exactly what she was.

Two years after that, a little brother named Hamidi was also born. Now Salim really had a lot to do, he had to do chores for his father and take care of his younger siblings. But he didn't complain, he stood his ground and did everything he could to make sure everyone was well.

The year Salim was to start at Uagadou, the family had a bit of a problem, who would do all the chores that Salim had been taking care of. For a while, Salim's father seriously considered not letting Salim go for so-called family reasons. But Bisa persuaded Oringo, she thought it was important that Salim got the education he deserved and so he did.

First Instance of Magic: Salim's first encounter with his own magic happened when he was nine years old. It had been in the middle of the night when Salim had been awakened by a sound. The sound sounded like a groan. Salim had pawed out of his bed and out of the house, drawn by curiosity. He had rounded the corner of the house and was walking a few steps into the shade when he saw what was causing the noise.

It was a small gazelle cub lying on the ground. As Salim got closer, he saw that it was entangled in a mass of branches and vines. He carefully knelt down next to the animal and used his voice to calm it. He told it not to be afraid and that he would help it.

The gazelle turned its head and fell silent, it understood that Salim meant it no harm. Salim stretched out his hands and then something strange happened. The branches and vines began to move of their own accord when Salim touched them. They unwound the small gazelle cub, which cautiously got to its feet and looked into Salim's eyes. A silent thank you before it turned and ran away.

The next day, Salim told his mother what had happened. Bisa was overjoyed when she learned that Salim had magic and that the gazelle had survived.

Physical Description: Salim is quite tall, has dark skin and black hair. His eyes are the same color as the moon, at least that's what his mother usually says. He usually wears his hair in braids that extend from the back of his forehead to the nape of his neck. He usually dresses in practical but comfortable clothes like work shirts and a pair of slightly looser-fitting pants. He doesn't mind if he gets a little dirty, it's a part of life.

Mental Description: On the outside, Salim can seem cold and hard, but that's just because that's how he's been taught to be. But on the inside, he's kind, caring and has an unusually pure heart. He always wants to be there for others and help them with what's difficult. If he could, he would carry the weight of the whole world on his shoulders. But despite that, he can sometimes find it difficult to trust people.